Changes for Taranaki side to play Counties Manukau

Above photo: Taranaki development captain Harry Jones (far left) is in line to make his debut for the NPC side as he has been named on the bench for Wednesday night's clash against Counties Manukau. 

The Port Taranaki Bulls side has been named ahead of their mid-week clash against Counties Manukau, which includes six changes made by coach Colin Cooper.  

In the amber and blacks’ second game of three in 11 days, it’s clear the coaching staff are resting key players, two of which are missing from the starting XV for Wednesday night’s match.  

Lock Ben Matwijow and openside flanker Berny Hall are out with Leon Power, who returns to the starting line-up and Lachlan Boshier replace the two respectively.  

Other changes in the forward pack include Ryan Cocker who starts in his second match of the season in replace of Reuben O’Neill who moves to the bench. The return of captain Mitchell Crosswell means Mitchell Brown drops back to the reserves and Toa Halafihi gains a start with Iopu Iopu-Aso on the bench.  

There is only one backline change as Kylem O’Donnell starts at halfback over Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi to gain his blazer for 20 matches.    

Cooper has stuck with Marty McKenzie at first five-eighth and Stephen Perofeta at fullback after they were swapped around in their win against Southland last Thursday night.  

Due to the changes and the injuries to props Mike Kainga [knee] and Sione Lea [ankle], props Harry Jones and Asaeli Sorovaki could play in their debut matches if they are needed off the bench.  

With a big weekend approaching after Wednesday night’s match as they challenge Waikato for the Ranfurly Shield, Taranaki will be focusing on the ‘one game at a time’ mentality.  

Although there were good patches in last week’s win over Southland in terrible conditions, Taranaki’s scrum was under a little bit of pressure but their lineout work has credited them positively so far this season.  

Taranaki has had the upper hand playing in New Plymouth, but struggled during the entire 80 minutes when these two sides met at Pukekohe three years ago.  

Counties Manukau, who are favourites according to betting agency the TAB, has only made a few changes after their narrow loss to Wellington on Friday night.  

Matt Vaai comes into the starting 15 at blindside flanker, with Jimmy Tupou shifting back to lock as Viliame Rarasea.is being rested. On the bench, Toni Pulu makes his return to NPC rugby from a finger injury and Sione Anga’aelangi takes the hooker spot on the bench with prop Sean Paranihi coming into the playing 23.  

Counties Manukau sit two points behind Taranaki in the premiership table.    

Match details:  
Counties Manukau v Taranaki
Wednesday 14 September
Ecolight Stadium, Pukekohe
7:35pm
Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (Canterbury)  

TAB: Counties Manukau $1.72, Taranaki $2.10    

Taranaki: Stephen Perofeta, Beaudein Waaka, Sean Wainui, Johnny Fa'auli, Declan O'Donnell, Marty McKenzie, Kylem O'Donnell, Toa Halafihi, Laclan Boshier, Mitchell Crosswell (c), Leighton Price, Leon Power, Ryan Cocker, Rhys Marshall, Mitchell Graham. Reserves, Harry Jones, Reuben O'Neill, Asaeli Sorovaki, Mitchell Brown, Iopu Iopu-Aso, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Jackson Ormond, Manasa Mataele.  

Counties Manukau: Luteru Laulala, Sione Molia, Sam Vaka, Cardiff Vaega, Sherwin Stowers, Piers Francis, Augustine Pulu (c), Sooatala Fa'aso'o, Jordan Taufua, Matt Vaai, Jimmy Tupou, Matiaha Martin, Kalolo Tuiloma, Gafatasi Su'a, Sean Bagshaw. Reserves, Sione Anga'aelangi, Sean Paranihi, Sione Faletau, Cameron Skelton, Vilami Taulani, Richard Judd, Joe Reynolds, Toni Pulu.  

Head to head stats:  

Coming soon once available.